The Farmers’ Union of Wales has cautiously welcomed the agreement between the UK and Welsh Government on changes to the UK Government EU (Withdrawal) Bill, and now looks forward to positive movement in the detail around creating frameworks fit for the future.

Farmers in North Wales are looking forward to the upcoming ploughing match which will be held at Porth Gwylan, Tudweiliog, Pwllheli on Saturday April 28.

Apart from the ploughing competitions, the day will also include demonstrations of vintage machinery, trade stands and other competitions including fencing, turf hedging with diggers, clay pigeon shooting and a tug of war.

The FUW’s Caernarfon team will be on hand for plenty of farming matters conversation and light refreshments.

FUW Caernarfonshire County Chairman Tudur Parry said: “ We look forward to welcoming members of the Union to our stand for chats about the latest farming matters over a cup of tea and hope many can join us on the day - it certainly promises to be a great day out for all the family.”

For more information contact the FUW Caernarfon office on 01286 672 541.

By Angharad Evans, Y Tir Welsh Editor

March - well, what a trying month! The "Beast from the East" and Storm Emma joined forces causing the worst weather for the UK to see for many years.

With farmers all over the country longing to see the arrival of spring to ease the lambing period, in reality, arctic winds and snow challenged farmers to their limits and lingered for a long period of time.

A ban on live animal exports would be ‘remarkably shortsighted’ given the uncertainty around a post-Brexit trade deal and agricultural tariffs, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

The UK and Welsh Governments yesterday (April 9) launched a call for evidence on a UK-wide ban on the export of live animals for overseas slaughter - something not possible while the UK remains part of the EU, due to EU free trade rules.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We will naturally be consulting with members over this issue, but our current position is that it would be remarkably short sighted to introduce a ban on live exports at the same time as massive tariffs on meat exports to the EU might be introduced.”

Mr Roberts said such a ban could cut off an essential lifeline for sheep farmers, given tariffs of around 50% of product value could apply on meat once we leave the EU, and that this would collapse the trade in sheepmeat exports, which currently represents around a third of Welsh lamb sales.

“We fully appreciate people’s concerns about live exports, but we must bear in mind that the EU has legal welfare standards which are the highest in the world, and these apply both here and on mainland Europe.”

Mr Roberts’ comments echo those of the Scottish Government.